- PM Modi's turbans symbolize India's rich cultural diversity.
- Each year, unique styles and vibrant colors are featured
- His headgear choices have been a highlight since 2014.
Independence Day 2026: On the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen wearing a red tie-and-dye turban with a long trailing end as he appeared to address the nation at the Red Fort. The turban, hued in shades of red, green and white, reflected a combination of Rajasthani and Gujarati traditions.
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PM Modi’s Independence Day appearances have been closely watched over the decade, especially his turbans, which often reflected India’s diverse culture through colours and patterns. From a saffron turban with red motifs to bandhej lehriya, PM Modi’s choice of headgear has always stolen the spotlight during the August 15 celebrations. Here’s a look back to Prime Minister Modi’s carefully styled turbans, representing the richness of India’s cultural diversity in a unique yet striking way.
Turban Took A Saffron Turn In 2025
Last year (2025), Prime Minister Narendra wore a vibrant Rajasthani leheriya turban with hints of saffron, yellow, and green, with a saffron bandgala jacket and a stole. The 2025 event marked his 12th address to the Red Fort on the occasion of Independence Day
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2024 Was Marked By Dark Yet Striking Hues
In 2024, PM Modi wore a Rajasthani lehriya with hues of orange, dark green and yellow along the turban, which had a long pleated tail. Lehriya is a traditional Rajasthani design which gets its name from the desert winds.
2023: PM Chose Rajasthani Bandhani, 2022 Saw Safrron Hues
In 2023 Independence Day celebrations, PM Modi wore a Rajasthani-style Bandhani turban in shades of yellow, green and red with a black V-neck jacket, while in 2022, he chose a saffron turban with red motifs and flowing tails.
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COVID Year Saw Cream And White Headgear
In 2021, he wore a cream and saffron turban, while in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he covered his face with a white scarf with a saffron border.
2020: Safa As A Mask
In 2020, during the Covid 19 pandemic, PM Modi wore a saffron and cream turban with an extended tail. He paired it up a with a white kurta and churidar with a white stole.
2019 Witnessed Rajasthani Textile Heritage
PM Modi's first Independence Day appearance after his emphatic 2019 election victory came in a bright yellow safa with hints of green and red and a long tail.
2018 Was A Saffron Year
Saffron was the dominant colour in 2018.
PM Modi wore a saffron turban carrying red patterns, continuing two colours that would return repeatedly in his Independence Day appearances.
2017: Red, Yellow and a new India
Red and yellow came together in 2017, with golden criss-cross lines running through PM Modi's turban.
His message from the Red Fort was about what India could look like five years later.
2016 Saw A Mix Of Pink And Yellow
PM Modi's pink-and-yellow tie-dye turban was among the brighter headgears of his early years as Prime Minister.
2015: Yellow Turban with a long tail
If 2014 established the turban tradition, 2015 made it difficult to ignore.
PM Modi chose a predominantly yellow turban criss-crossed with multicoloured lines. Its most striking feature was its exceptionally long tail.
The speech produced a slogan that would soon become a government programme: "Start-Up India, Stand-Up India."
2014: When It All Began
The tradition started on PM Modi's first Independence Day as Prime Minister.
He arrived at the Red Fort in a bright red Jodhpuri bandhej turban, its long green tail providing a sharp contrast to his white half-sleeved kurta